Add $130 to the Mac for Windows 7. I guess I'll never understand the fascination with Macs. To each his own, that trackpad must be one hell of an experience.

The other big advantage is that the mac has a much, MUCH better screen. Most PC laptops, and ALL cheap PC laptops, have absolutely terrible screens. As far as external displays: I'd much rather the displayport on the mac than a HDMI connector; especially since I use a high-resolution (2560x1440) monitor, and HDMI only supports up to 1080p. I may be in the minority there, though.

The Dell has a single-band 1x2 Wifi card. The Mac has a dual-band 3x3 Wifi card. For that matter, the Dell doesn't even have a gigabit ethernet port, only 10/100.

The mac also has a 63.5Wh battery, the Dell has a 48Wh.

Given a choice between those two, I'd get the mac every time. Not trying to argue for the mac (there are other laptops I'd much prefer), more pointing out that the Dell is that cheap for a reason - it's a budget machine, with every possible corner cut. The price is about the only attractive thing about it.

While I would never actually buy an Apple computer, I do appreciate the relative quality of their laptop hardware packages. Hopefully Intel's Ultrabook initiative will find more serious traction this year.

I wholeheartedly agree that Apple makes quality machines with quality components and decent customer service. I simply could never justify spending what I consider to be an outrageous premium for an apple stamp.

Gab wrote:I wholeheartedly agree that Apple makes quality machines with quality components and decent customer service. I simply could never justify spending what I consider to be an outrageous premium for an apple stamp.

How outrageous is the premium? The hardware is very high quality, even if they don't often have "low end" hardware. You pay for build quality, whether it's Apple or Dell.

Macbook Pro 15": $1800

Dells look like they have better gfx cards than the MBPs:

Dell Latitude E6250: $2305 / $1520 after web discount. (I don't know how often those are applicable: clearly, plan ahead and be patient.)

Dell Vostro 3550: $1150 / $950 after rebates.

The Vostro looks like it's substantially cheaper, but the Latitude is not. The Macbook Pros and Latitudes have generally more robus build quality, and that's often what you're paying for. That said, the Latitude looks pretty nice at $300 less than the Macbook Pro -- I'd have to sit down and use one for an extended time to see how they compare. (I could imagine spending more if I liked the aesthetics better, as I'd be using it for the next three years or more.)

They are always applicable. Dell has a pricing model like a pizza joint. All of their MSRPs are balanced around there being a significant "discount" applied. Just don't be the guy caught paying their listed 'market value'. Also don't pay for any sort of expansion if you can help it, you will get jacked on that sort of stuff.

Duly noted. I've come across that as well in building systems there. They seem like a great price.. but a little extra memory, upgrade the graphics card a little... a little bit here and there, and it's almost twice as expensive!